Roy’s café was open again after all this time, and Tyrone had practically bounced off the walls all morning, desperate to see what his old friend had done with the place. The two of them walked in, and Roy stood there with a proud little smile, gesturing at the fresh paint and the new picture on the wall. “Well, it’s definitely fresher,” Tyrone said, nodding. “Fresh?
It looks the same as it did before,” his wife chimed in, squinting at the walls. Roy chuckled. “Apart from the low energy lighting and the wall installation. I did get a lot of color charts, but he wasn’t having any of it.
”
“He went three shades darker, but I had to do some pecking of his head,” Roy added, and Tyrone grinned. “Personally, after all that effort, I’d have wanted to see a bit of a difference. But hey ho, if you’re happy. ”
Roy gestured to the framed print on the wall.
“I am. Especially after finding this wonderful picture. The Mallard. Holder of the steam engine speed record.
”
“Looks the same to me,” Tyrone admitted, and Roy laughed. “But Roy, can’t tell you how good it is to have you open again. ”
“It’s good to be open. ”
The banter was easy, familiar, and for just a moment, it felt like things might actually be returning to some kind of normal.
—
Meanwhile, over at the Platt house, the atmosphere was far less warm. Sarah was in the kitchen, setting out plates and dishes, while David hovered nearby, trying to help. Shona was there too, and the kids were running around. The table was laden with food, but the mood had an edge to it.
“What are you doing? ” Shona asked, surprised to see David stacking plates. “Well, I just thought we’d have a nice family meal, you know. Celebrate your test results.
Not had much to shout about recently, have we? ”
“Well, believe me, there’s no one more relieved than me,” Shona said quietly. “How scary would that have been? Some bloke you don’t even know gives you a condition that could kill you,” Sarah said, trying to keep things light.
“Thank you. Well, thank our lucky stars that we’re all in the clear because, believe me, we’ve got other things to worry about. The police have just phoned. ”
“What about?
” David asked, his fork pausing mid-air. Shona took a breath. “You’re not going to believe this, babe, but Megan’s been released. ”
“Megan?
She can’t have been. ”
“They just told me. She appealed and they agreed to let her out on bail. ”
“Are you joking me?
”
“I know. It never stops, does it? ”
—
At the café, Roy was settling back into his routine, but his peace was shattered when he finally looked at his phone. “Hey, you’ve obviously upset someone, haven’t you?
” Tyrone said from the other side of the counter. Roy frowned. “Sorry? ”
“I meant the stuff online.
You’ve not seen it? ”
Roy shook his head and pulled out his phone, scrolling through the screen. His face went pale. “See for yourself.
Whoever they are, they seem to be dragging you through the dirt. ”
Roy read aloud, shocked. “Who’s Troop Tella? They’re claiming I knew about making him well.
Why would I stay quiet about that? I wouldn’t. ”
“There’s stuff about Summer and how you supposedly groomed her. They even mentioned Max,” Tyrone said.
“Has she read it? Summer? ”
“Don’t know. She was meant to pop in, but she hasn’t.
”
“It’s a cesspit. Just ignore it, all of it,” Tyrone urged. “How am I supposed to ignore it? This could affect me going back to work,” Roy said, his hands shaking slightly.
“Pardon my interjection, but I would urge you not to respond to any of those posts,” a customer chimed in. “Once you do, they’ll feel they’ve triumphed. And one comment will bring hundreds in return. It’s a vile black hole.
”
—
Later that afternoon, Todd appeared at the Platt house, looking uncomfortable. David greeted him warily. “What are you doing here? ”
“I was invited.
Dad, you had a heart scare with this myotonic thing. Sort of puts everything else in perspective, doesn’t it? ”
“He’s right,” Sarah said, though her tone was cautious. Todd cleared his throat.
“I was wondering if we could have a word about the flat. You’ve probably heard that Summer’s off to the States, and to be honest, I’m not that keen to move in. ”
But before the conversation could go anywhere, the doorbell rang again. It was George, Summer’s father.
“I thought we might have lunch together,” he said to Todd. “You’re all right,” Todd said flatly. “Please, Todd. We need to talk.
”
“I’m not sure there’s much to say, George. ”
George’s expression hardened. “I hate to think that you and Summer thought I was snooping through her things. You know I’m not that person.
”
“You actually think that’s the worst of it? ” Todd snapped. “You accused her of murder. I mean, this is Summer we’re talking about.
”
“She said she wanted Theo dead. Then she went and burned that journal thing. Why? Don’t tell me you’ve not asked yourself the same question.
”
“What, have you not asked yourself why Christina took so long to pick me up on the night he died? ” Todd shot back. “She said she was stuck in traffic. Anyway, this is not about Christina.
”
“Todd, what did you expect us to do? ” George said, his voice strained. “Burning that journal thing, well, it was suspicious, to say the least. All we wanted was to find out the truth of what happened that night.
Surely you want that, too? ”
—
At the police station, Summer was sitting in an interview room, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. A detective sat across from her, sliding a photograph across the table. “Here’s a photograph taken at the wedding.
Can you confirm that’s you? ”
Summer nodded, her voice barely a whisper. “Yes. ”
“And here is a photograph of a brooch found in Theo’s flat.
Now, this is a blowup of the wedding photo. And as you can see, the brooch found in Theo’s flat is the same one that you’re wearing. So what I’d like to know is, how did that brooch get from your dress to the floor of Theo’s flat? ”
“I don’t know.
I really don’t know. Maybe it came off in the street after I left Underworld. And Theo just happened to find it. I don’t know.
I promise I’m telling the truth. Can I go home now, please? ”
—
Back at the Platt house, the family dinner was in full swing, but the tension was palpable. Sarah had made cauliflower cheese, which Shona smiled at weakly.
“This all looks wonderful,” Shona said. “And I made cauliflower cheese. My favorite. ”
“Bless you,” Sarah said, forcing a smile.
“I was relieved to hear about your test results. And pleased for you boys as well, of course. ”
Shona’s smile faltered. “Thanks to that wretched woman being behind bars, no doubt.
”
David and Sarah exchanged a look. “Dad? You should tell him,” Sarah said quietly. David took a breath.
“Megan’s out. She’s been granted bail. ”
Will, who had been quietly eating, looked up, his face draining of color. “It’s going to be all right, son,” David said.
“Sweetheart, she’s not allowed anywhere near you,” Shona said, reaching for his hand. Will shook his head, his voice trembling. “I know. I knew this would happen.
”
“Listen to me,” David said firmly. “You are in control of what happens to you, not her. She cannot touch you either in or out of prison. And if she tries, she’ll have to go through me, okay?
So come on, love. What’s for pudding? ”
—
But the meal was about to take another turn. There was a knock at the door, and Sarah went to answer it, returning with an unexpected guest.
“Because she looked after your boys, right, Mum? ” Todd said, stepping into the room with a cold smile. David’s face went hard. “Dad, can we just—“
“And who gave you permission to invite her to eat under my roof?
” David growled. “Your roof? She’s your mum,” Todd said, his voice dripping with venom. “Oh, yeah.
My old dear, aren’t you, Maggie? ” Todd turned to Shona, who was frozen. “Did everything for us after my dad died. ”
“After she killed him,” Todd added, his voice low.
The room went silent. Will looked up, confused. “Ben! ”
“That’s who your nan is, boys,” Todd said, pointing at Shona.
“Don’t listen to him,” Shona said, her voice shaking. “Oh, so I’m lying, am I? He fell down the stairs. You’ve told yourself that lie for so long, you’ve almost convinced yourself.
The truth is, he fell down the stairs because she pushed him. ”
“That’s not true, is it, Nan? ” Will asked, his eyes wide. “It was a terrible accident,” Shona said, but her voice was weak.
“Oh, you are good. Certainly had me fooled for 30 odd years. We were at the top of the stairs. We were rowing.
You pushed him,” Todd said, his voice rising. “I need a drink,” David said, his voice rough. “I need to go after him. ”
But Sarah stepped forward, her eyes fixed on Shona.
“Is it true? Is it true? ”
Shona looked at her, her face a mask of fear and guilt. “Do you think it is?
”
—
Later, Roy was still at the café, trying to ignore the posts piling up on his phone. Tyrone came in and found him staring at the screen. “I can’t believe it’s gone viral,” Tyrone said, shaking his head. “Just put your phone away, will you?
They’ll still be posting. ”
“Yeah, but you won’t be driving yourself mad reading it all. It’s just rubbish. ”
“Well, I’ll stick the kettle on,” Roy said, trying to steady his hands.
Tyrone nodded and pulled out his own phone, scrolling. “Have you read them? Yeah, only started this morning. Yeah, listen to this.
”
“Just switch it off, will you? ” Roy said, his voice sharp. “I’m being serious, switch it off. ”
Tyrone sighed and put the phone down.
“Okay, fine. What can I do? ”
“Legally, not much,” Roy admitted. “Great.
Really glad I waited for you to get both feet through the door. ”
“Without knowing who’s buying the account, I don’t suppose you have any ideas,” Tyrone said. Roy shook his head. “A list of people that hate me enough to want to ruin my life.
Megan? She would be top of the list if she wasn’t in prison. ”
“She’s out,” Tyrone said quietly. Roy stared at him.
“What? ”
“I should have messaged you. She appealed her remand. She’s out.
”
—
And in the quiet of the police station, a detective sat across from Summer, who was looking increasingly pale. “So, you definitely didn’t go round to the flat that night? ” the detective asked. “No.
”
“And when I say that I had nothing to do with his death, I expect to be believed,” Summer said, her voice cracking. The detective leaned forward. “Summer. I want you to really think about it.
”
“I don’t need to think about it. I didn’t see him. ”
“Except that’s not quite true, is it? ” the detective said, pulling out another photograph.
“I saw you. On the street. Running from the direction of their flat. ”
Summer’s face went pale.
“Please, just talk to me. I only want to help,” the detective said. “Why are you doing this? ” Summer whispered.
“Sweetheart. The truth will come out. ”
—
At Roy’s café, the place had emptied out except for a familiar face. Todd walked in, looking worn.
“The place looks great, by the way. ”
“Ah. The Mallards, right? ” Roy said, nodding at the picture.
“Indeed. ”
“Look, I mean, I’m not sticking up for him, all right? It’s just that what Todd’s been through the wringer, hasn’t he, lately? What with Billy and now Theo,” Roy said cautiously.
Todd looked up sharply. “You’ve questioned Summer? ”
“What about? ” Roy asked, but Todd cut him off.
“This isn’t your conversation,” Todd said, his voice tight. “That’s ridiculous, you know that,” Todd said, turning to leave. Nina, who had been sitting nearby, looked after him, her mind racing. “You don’t really think that Summer’s a suspect, do you?
”
Roy said nothing, but his silence said everything. —
Summer sat alone in the interview room, the photograph still in front of her. Her hands were shaking, her mind racing. The detective had left, but her words echoed in the silence.
*The truth will come out. *
She closed her eyes, trying to steady her breathing. She knew what she had to do.
She just didn’t know if she had the strength to do it.
